Unlock victory with the top Warhammer 40k tournament army lists featuring Custodes, World Eaters, and Imperial Guard from the 2024 Gem City GT.
Final Standings
The tournament is over, and now we can look at which lists managed to secure a place at the top! Check out what these winners brought in their armies with our commentary on their selections. Thanks to Best Coast Pairings, we can look back at the event as if we were all there ourselves. Click this special promo link to save $20 on a year’s subscription to BCP.
1st Place: Wesley St. Hines – Astra Militarum Imperial Guard Army Lists
Wesly’s Astra Militarum / Imperial Guard army list at the Gem City GT showed us all that even in the grim darkness of the far future, organization and a good strategy win wars.
This wasn’t just another Astra Militarum blob of troops and tanks rolling across the board; Wesly’s list was carefully calibrated chaos, packed with unique characters, gritty troopers, and even a few legendary figures from the Imperium’s storied past.
Let’s walk through why this finely-tuned army walked away with top honors and left a trail of would-be heretics in the dust.
A good army needs strong leadership, and Wesly made sure his troops had no shortage of it. First up, the Cadian Command Squad took charge, ready to deliver orders across the ranks and make sure every Guardsman knew where to aim (and, more importantly, where to duck).
Right beside them, two Death Korps Marshals kept morale—and a few limbs—intact. These Marshals aren’t just for show; they also offered up some free stratagems, keeping Wesly’s resources flowing in classic Krieg fashion.
Adding to the leadership roster were three Militarum Tempestus Command Squads. These elite officers made sure their units could benefit from two orders at once—like multitasking, but with lasguns and battlefield maneuvers.
It’s like having an overachieving manager hovering nearby, but instead of paperwork, they’re calling out “Charge!” and “Take Cover!” in rapid succession.
Ursula Creed also joined the fray, bringing her father’s tactical genius and offering more free stratagems for the pile. Then there’s the one and only Gaunt’s Ghosts, the Tanith heroes who make sneaking into enemy territory look effortless.
Add in Sly Marbo, the Imperium’s most elusive lone operative, and you’ve got two operatives who could sneak past any guard—or just blow them up if sneaking isn’t in the cards.
When it comes to rank-and-file soldiers, Wesly’s list didn’t settle for standard foot-sloggers. He started with Cadian Shock Troops, a group of no-nonsense soldiers who know how to hold the line and work with the command squad like they’ve been doing this since birth (which, given the Cadian life cycle, might not be far off).
Backing them up were two units of Catachan Jungle Fighters, hardened survivalists from a world that wants them dead daily. These guys bring a healthy dose of aggression and combat knives big enough to make any Chaos Marine think twice.
If you’re looking for troops who aren’t afraid to dive headlong into trouble, Catachans are your go-to.
For the more somber side of the infantry, Wesly added two units of Death Korps of Krieg. Paired with their Marshals, these troops showed up ready to fight to the last (and then some). Krieg soldiers aren’t here for long lives—they’re here to do the job, preferably while covered in trench mud and surrounded by the sounds of artillery.
Wesly didn’t stop with standard troops; he went for the finest the Astra Militarum has to offer. Three units of Tempestus Scions added a little extra finesse to the list. These elite soldiers may have the same job as regular Guardsmen, but they come with much better gear and a knack for striking where it hurts most.
And then came the big guns of the infantry world: three units of Kasrkin and three units of Tempestus Aquilons. The Kasrkin, Cadia’s elite storm troopers, paired nicely with Ursula Creed. Under her command, one Kasrkin unit could take full advantage of her orders, making them even more of a nightmare for enemy troops.
The Tempestus Aquilons, meanwhile, brought the flexibility of deepstrike, letting them drop into battle right where Wesly needed them most.
Now, Wesly’s list did include a single Scout Sentinel—the only vehicle in his entire army. While most Astra Militarum lists bring tanks by the dozen, this one brave Sentinel handled mobility and armored support all by itself.
Sentinels are light walkers designed for scouting, with just enough armor to survive some fire while keeping agile enough to evade real trouble.
2nd Place: Brian Daugherty – World Eaters Army Lists
3rd Place: Folger Pyles – Adeptus Custodes Army Lists Gem City GT 2024
And there you have it—Wesly St. Hines’ Imperial Guard list didn’t just win; it made a statement. With layers of leadership, diverse squads of soldiers, and just the right amount of firepower, Wesly showed the 2024 Gem City GT that strategy beats sheer brute force.
From Gaunt’s sneaky Ghosts to Marbo’s stealthy shenanigans and that lone Sentinel braving the battlefield solo, every unit had a role to play, and boy, did they play it well.
Whether you’re a new recruit to the lore or a veteran of countless tabletop wars, these top army lists from the 2024 Gem City GT is a reminder that the Astra Militarum isn’t just about throwing bodies into the grinder. With a little bit of finesse (and a lot of lasguns), they can hold their own against even the deadliest Custodes and World Eaters.
The performance of these armies serves as a testament to the ever-evolving nature of the competitive Warhammer 40k meta. Studying these winning Adeptus Custodes, Imperial Guard, and World Eaters army lists for their tactical synergies provides valuable insights for honing your strategic approach.
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What do you think of the results and top Warhammer 40k Adeptus Custodes, Imperial Guard, and World Eaters army lists from the Gem City GT 2024?
About the Author: Andrew Schrank
Andrew Schrank
Job Title: Miniatures & Warhammer Hobby Staff Writer
Socials: Facebook
About Andrew Schrank: Over the past 15 years, Andrew has played all the games, including tabletop and video games, and immersed himself in the associated lore. Andrew joined the Spikey Bits team in 2018 and covers the Warhammer hobby and tournament scene, along with the latest in tabletop miniatures, each week.
Aspiring diplomat, Lord of Fluff, and Master of Ice Hammer, He loves Star Wars, Chaos Undivided, and Gundam. During his free time, he hunts Platinum trophies on PS5 and reads international news. On weekends, Andrew plays commander and cEDH games, often with unique strategies that push the limits.
He believes each day presents a new opportunity to grow and be challenged.
